Google Updates EEA Carousel Schema (Beta)

Google has made updates to its structured data documentation related to EEA (European Economic Area) carousels, which are currently still in the beta phase. These changes are designed to clarify the guidance and improve accessibility for those using the feature.

One of the most significant updates is the expansion of the shopping queries carousel beta. Previously, this was only available in select countries such as Germany, France, Czechia, and the United Kingdom.

Now, the beta feature has been extended across all EEA countries, giving wider access to businesses and website owners throughout the region.

As a result of these adjustments, the updated documentation is also easier to understand. The information is now more clearly structured, making it simpler for developers and SEO professionals to implement correctly.

These changes are part of Google’s continued effort to support more transparent and user-friendly search features within the EEA.

Example Of Tidying Up Content Structure

In addition to reflecting the updates made to the carousels beta programme, another significant change was made to the overall structure of the information. Google has rearranged the content to ensure a more logical flow, making it easier for users to understand.

A notable edit involved the removal of a reference to flight queries. Previously, the instructions included a mention of a specific “interest form” for flight queries. The section read:

“…you can start by filling out the applicable form (for flights queries, use the interest form for flights queries).”

This has now been simplified to:

“you can start by filling out the applicable form:”

The reason for this change was to reduce confusion. By separating the flight query details from other unrelated sections, Google has made the content more streamlined. The various topics have been broken down into their own mini-sections, which now makes the entire page more structured and easier to navigate.

The new sections that have been added include:

For queries related to ground transportation, hotels, vacation rentals, local businesses, and activities (such as events, tours, and attractions), use the Google Search aggregator features interest form.
For flight queries, use the flight queries interest form.
For shopping queries, begin with the Comparison Shopping Services (CSS) programme.

Feature Change

A section has been removed due to changes in the availability of the features. The original text read:

“For shopping queries, it’s being tested first in Germany, France, Czechia, and the UK.”

This section has now been replaced with updated information that reflects the current expanded availability of the shopping carousel beta feature. The new text reads:

“This feature is currently only available in European Economic Area (EEA) countries, on both desktop and mobile devices. It’s available for travel, local, and shopping queries.”

Google’s changelog for this update explains the changes as follows:

“Updating the interest forms for structured data carousels (beta) What: Updated the structured data carousels (beta) documentation to include the current interest forms and supported query types.

Why: To reflect the current state of the feature and process for expressing interest.”

These adjustments ensure the documentation accurately reflects the expanded availability of the feature and the updated processes for those wishing to express interest.